Intelsat 36

Intelsat 36 is a geostationary satellite operated by Intelsat, a leading provider of satellite communications services, including broadband connectivity, video transmission, and mobile network solutions, in partnership with companies like Vodafone, Orange, and Telefónica. The satellite was built by Airbus Defence and Space, a subsidiary of Airbus, and is based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, which has been used for numerous satellites, including Inmarsat-4A, Hispasat 1E, and Eutelsat 3B. Intelsat 36 was launched on August 24, 2016, from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, using an Ariane 5 ECA rocket provided by Arianespace, a company founded by European Space Agency and CNES. The satellite is positioned at 68.9° E longitude, where it provides services to Africa, Europe, and Asia, in collaboration with regional operators like GlobeCast, Arabsat, and AsiaSat.

Introduction

Intelsat 36 is part of the Intelsat EpicNG series, a next-generation satellite platform designed to provide high-throughput satellite communications services, developed in partnership with companies like Hughes Network Systems, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin. The EpicNG series includes other satellites like Intelsat 29e, Intelsat 33e, and Intelsat 35e, which were launched in collaboration with SpaceX, Arianespace, and International Launch Services. Intelsat 36 is designed to provide a range of services, including direct-to-home television broadcasting, broadband internet access, and mobile backhaul services, to customers like BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera. The satellite's advanced technology and high-power transponders enable it to provide services to a wide range of customers, including telecommunications operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Deutsche Telekom, as well as government agencies like NASA, ESA, and CNES.

Spacecraft Characteristics

Intelsat 36 is based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, which provides a high level of reliability and flexibility, as demonstrated by its use in numerous satellites, including Inmarsat-5 F1, Hispasat 1D, and Eutelsat 8 West B. The satellite has a mass of approximately 3,200 kg and is equipped with solar panels and batteries to provide power, as well as ion thrusters for station-keeping and orbit raising, similar to those used on Boeing 702 and Space Systems/Loral satellites. Intelsat 36 has a design life of 15 years and is designed to operate in the C-band and Ku-band frequencies, which are also used by satellites like Intelsat 19, Intelsat 20, and Intelsat 22. The satellite's advanced antenna system and high-gain transponders enable it to provide high-quality services to customers like ESPN, Fox Sports, and Sky Sports.

Launch and Orbit

Intelsat 36 was launched on August 24, 2016, from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, using an Ariane 5 ECA rocket provided by Arianespace, which has also launched numerous other satellites, including Galileo IOV-1, Galileo IOV-2, and Eutelsat 3B. The launch was successful, and the satellite was placed into a geostationary transfer orbit, from which it used its ion thrusters to raise itself to its final orbit at 68.9° E longitude, where it is co-located with other satellites like Intelsat 10-02 and Intelsat 20. The satellite's orbit is controlled by Intelsat's satellite control center in Palo Alto, California, which also operates other satellites like Intelsat 29e and Intelsat 33e.

Payload and Services

Intelsat 36 is equipped with a range of transponders and antennas that enable it to provide a variety of services, including direct-to-home television broadcasting, broadband internet access, and mobile backhaul services, to customers like Vodafone, Orange, and Telefónica. The satellite's C-band and Ku-band transponders provide coverage of Africa, Europe, and Asia, and are used by customers like BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera to broadcast television channels and provide broadband internet access. Intelsat 36 also provides services to government agencies like NASA, ESA, and CNES, as well as to telecommunications operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Deutsche Telekom.

Operations and Status

Intelsat 36 is operated by Intelsat and is used to provide a range of services to customers around the world, including broadband connectivity, video transmission, and mobile network solutions, in partnership with companies like Hughes Network Systems, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin. The satellite is controlled by Intelsat's satellite control center in Palo Alto, California, which also operates other satellites like Intelsat 29e and Intelsat 33e. Intelsat 36 is currently operational and is providing services to customers in Africa, Europe, and Asia, including GlobeCast, Arabsat, and AsiaSat. The satellite's advanced technology and high-power transponders enable it to provide high-quality services to customers like ESPN, Fox Sports, and Sky Sports.

Category:Communications satellites